Ellen Elizabeth (Mathews) Ayers (1864-1947)

MATHEWS, AYERS, DAILEY, MORRIS, ELLIOTT

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

From Nevada Evening Journal Septembeer 30, 1947 (page 3)

Last Rites for Mrs. Ellen Ayers Held Wednesday

Funeral services for Mrs. Ellen Ayers, native daughter of Story county, who was born in a log cabin between Iowa Center and Maxwell February 12, 1864, and had lived her entire life in Story county, were held from the Evangelical United Brethren church in Nevada, Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 24 with the Reverend E. R. Walter officiating.

Mrs. Wesley McDaniel and Mrs. Kenneth Rapp sang "Good Night and Good Morning" and "Rock of Ages". Mrs. Dale Allen was at the piano.

Many floral tributes surrounded the casket, expressive of the high regard in which the deceased was held in the community of which she had lived for many years.

The pall bearers were Clyde Toms, Clyde Hostetter, Harold Huff, Virgil Lee, Paul Peterson and Robert Ogden. Burial was in the Iowa Center cemetery.

A fine tribute to the long life of the deceased was given by Rev. Walter who also read the following brief obituary:

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Ellen Elizabeth Ayers, was born on Feb. 12, 1864, the only daughter of Wm. and Elizabeth Mathews. At the early age of four years her mother passed away, and she and her brother were cared for in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Stark, adjoining the home of her father, until the family circle was again completed by the father's remarriage. To this union three children were born, Sarah, Walter and Mary.

Her early education was obtained in schools nearby, and her girlhood was spent in the many duties that befall pioneers.

At the age o 26 she was united in marriage to John Silas Ayers at Iowa Center. To this union seven children were born: Mrs. Hattie Daily and Mrs. Margaret Morris of Ames; Lowell Ayers and Mrs. Mary Elliott of Waterloo, and three sons, Loren, Mead and Lyman who preceeded her in death.

Mrs. Ayer's entire married life was spent in Story County with the exception of six years in Des Moines.

She was a life long member of the Evangelical church and a loyal supporter of the W.C.T.U., bring its president for 23 years.

On Sunday the 21st of September 1947 at 10:45, at the Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, she passed on to be with her creator, following a stroke, at the age of 83 years, 7 months and 9 days. She was preceeded in death by her parents, her husband, who passed away 4 years ago, three sons and one brother William.

She leaves to mourn her passing her four children, 12 grand children, and 2 great grand children, also a host of relatives and friends.

She was a loving mother, loved and honored by all, and a kind neighbor and friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

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A large number of relatives and friends attended the last rites for this beloved mother and friend.